Athletics Integrity Unit releases London 2017 programme summary

Of 1513 samples collected for AIU IAAF World Championships anti-doping programme, three are “now being investigated”

A summary of anti-doping and betting monitoring programmes and an education outreach initiative conducted at the IAAF World Championships London 2017 has been released by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

For its Championships anti-doping programme, AIU announced that a total of 1513 blood and urine samples were collected and analysed during the pre-competition (from July 31) and in-competition (from August 4) testing periods, with analyses having resulted in three adverse analytical findings “which are now being investigated”.

None of the adverse findings relate to medallists at the Championships, the AIU has said.

“The AIU will not make any further comment at this stage, but in all cases will publicly disclose appropriate details at relevant points of the disciplinary process, in accordance with the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules and AIU policy,” read an AIU statement in part.

As part of the anti-doping programme, 596 urine samples were collected, with 212 samples analysed for the detection of EPO. A total of 917 blood samples were also collected, including 725 for profiling purposes in the context of the Athlete Biological Passport and 192 for the detection of Human Growth Hormone and erythropoiesis stimulating agents.

“As announced by the AIU and the Local Organising Committee prior to the Championships, the anti-doping programme was comprehensive and intelligence-based, aimed at both detecting and deterring athlete doping,” continued the AIU statement. “The key to the programme was the intelligence-led out-of-competition testing strategy enacted in the 10 months prior to the Championships, with testing targeted at athletes likely to compete in London.

“This 10-month out-of-competition testing period – which included over 2,000 blood tests and approximately 3000 urine tests –was a cornerstone of the anti-doping programme with no advance notice of testing given to athletes.”

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, samples from London can be stored and retested for up to 10 years after the Championships.

A betting monitoring programme was also conducted at the Championships, with the AIU stating that no concerns related to betting activity were reported to the AIU by the British Gambling Commission during the event.

“The Athletics Integrity Unit is pleased to have conducted such a successful three-part programme at London 2017,” said AIU head, Brett Clothier.

“Throughout the Championships, it was evident that there was a strong, positive reaction from athletes and their support teams to the work of the AIU. It was hugely satisfying to see that athletes have a real thirst to gain knowledge of integrity-related issues and to learn how they can better help uphold the right values of the sport.

“The AIU will build on this, and work with athletes so that they can help shape the future of their sport.”

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